What to do when a First Citizens account holder dies
Contact First Citizens's Trust & Fiduciary Services / Wealth Management — 4-step process, 6 required documents, and pod beneficiaries can typically access funds within days of providing a death certificate and id. probate estates vary by state and court processing times.
Customer Care Center
Phone1-888-323-4732
Mailing Address
First Citizens Bank, PO Box 27131, Raleigh, NC 27611
WebsiteLearn more→
Trust & Fiduciary Services / Wealth Management
Phone1-855-329-3258
Institutional Trust Services
Delaware Trust Company
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-888-323-4732
Toll-Free1-888-323-4732
Mailing Address
First Citizens Bank, PO Box 27131, Raleigh, NC 27611
Wealth Client Support
Institutional Trust Services
Investor & Brokerage Services (FCIS)
FCIS Alternative
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
What happens to First Citizens accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with First Citizens's Trust & Fiduciary Services / Wealth Management (1-888-323-4732) to claim the funds.
First Citizens provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at First Citizens:
Filing a claim
1
Notify First Citizens of the account holder's death by calling 1-888-323-4732 or visiting a branch.
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate.
3
Provide additional documentation based on account type:
- POD accounts: the named beneficiary provides government-issued ID and a certified death certificate to claim funds.
- Non-POD accounts: the executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
- Trust-owned accounts: the successor trustee provides the trust document, a certified death certificate, and trustee identification.
4
First Citizens estate settlement team handles remaining steps:
- Coordinates the valuation and distribution of assets.
- Preparation of estate, fiduciary, and personal income tax returns as needed.
- Assets are distributed per beneficiary designations, trust terms, or estate instructions.
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued ID for beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for probate estates)
- Trust document and trustee identification (for trust-owned accounts)
- Small estate affidavit (if applicable under state law)
- IRA beneficiary claim form (for retirement accounts)
First Citizens can serve as corporate executor or trustee with a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of the estate. For wealth and trust inquiries, contact the Wealth Client Support line at 1-855-329-3258 (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm ET). The Institutional Trust Services team can be reached at 1-877-685-0576 (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm ET).
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust. When a borrower dies, the loan obligation transfers with the property to whoever inherits it. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot accelerate the loan or call it due when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or the borrower’s revocable trust.
1
Notify First Citizens of the borrower's death by calling mortgage servicing at 1-888-749-5005 or general customer service at 1-888-323-4732
2
Provide initial information and documentation:
- Deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number.
- Certified copy of the death certificate.
- Successor in Interest application with documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, or trust document).
3
First Citizens will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
4
Once confirmed, discuss available options:
- Continue making payments.
- Apply for loss mitigation.
- Assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance.
5
Continue making monthly mortgage payments during the review process to avoid default
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Marriage certificate (if surviving spouse)
- Trust document showing successor trustee or beneficiary (if applicable)
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-888-749-5005
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), First Citizens cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Confirmed Successors in Interest are treated as borrowers under CFPB mortgage servicing rules and are entitled to account information and loss mitigation options. General customer service: 1-888-323-4732.
Expected timelines at First Citizens: POD beneficiaries can typically access funds within days of providing a death certificate and ID. Probate estates vary by state and court processing times. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
First Citizens requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued ID for beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for probate estates), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
A Payable on Death (POD) designation allows you to name one or more beneficiaries on your deposit account. Per the First Citizens Deposit Account Agreement at https://www.firstcitizens.com/personal/checking/deposit-account-agreement, the account owner retains total ownership and control during their lifetime, including the right to change beneficiaries at any time. Upon the account holder's death, named beneficiaries automatically inherit the funds without going through probate. POD does not create joint ownership.
Visit a First Citizens branch with your trust document or Certificate of Trust, government-issued ID for all trustees, and the trust EIN (if applicable). Complete the retitling paperwork to change the account title to the trust name. Per https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/estate-planning/essential-step-fund-revocable-trust, First Citizens stresses that proper titling is an essential step to ensure your trust can fulfill its intentions and that a pour-over will can serve as a safety net for assets not retitled before death.
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), First Citizens cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when residential property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Heirs should contact mortgage servicing at 1-888-749-5005 or 1-888-323-4732 to be confirmed as a Successor in Interest, which typically takes 30-45 days. Confirmed Successors in Interest are entitled to account information and loss mitigation options under CFPB mortgage servicing rules. Home equity lines of credit terminate the draw period upon the borrower's death.
First Citizens's Death Claims / Estate Settlement can be reached by phone at 1-888-323-4732 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple First Citizens accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Trust & Fiduciary Services / Wealth Management can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Customer Care Center
Phone1-888-323-4732
Mailing Address
First Citizens Bank, PO Box 27131, Raleigh, NC 27611
WebsiteLearn more→
Trust & Fiduciary Services / Wealth Management
Phone1-855-329-3258
Institutional Trust Services
Delaware Trust Company
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-888-323-4732
Toll-Free1-888-323-4732
Mailing Address
First Citizens Bank, PO Box 27131, Raleigh, NC 27611
Wealth Client Support
Institutional Trust Services
Investor & Brokerage Services (FCIS)
FCIS Alternative
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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